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Who owns DeBary Diner? Anti-Biden Florida diner forced to close due to popularity

Diner overwhelmed after owner puts up sign asking Biden supporters to take their 'business elsewhere', forced to close as it runs out of food

The Covid-19 pandemic had businesses closing due to a lack of patrons, but for one Flordia diner, the exact opposite happened. DeBary Diner in DeBary, Florida was forced to close due to an overwhelming flood of patrons, thanks to the owner's rather political stance. The diner went viral in the last week of August, as we reported because the owner put up a sign against Joe Biden supporters, following the chaotic withdrawal of Afghanistan.

As American politics has gotten more divisive, it has spilled out from the halls of Congress and into the lives of millions. In May, Todd Anderson, the owner of a bar in California was arrested for selling fake Covid-19 vaccine cards. Later that month, we also reported on Bar9Eleven, a Texas bar that was receiving flak for its theme. Of late, vaccines have become a major point of contention, with one Alabama doctor firmly refusing to see unvaccinated patients. 

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Thanks to the owner's vocal anti-Biden stance, the DeBary Diner was overwhelmed beyond expectations. It's not just in Florida though, the diner has been receiving global attention, putting the city of 20,000 in the national spotlight. Wondering who is responsible for DeBary's sudden influx? Meet Angie Ugarte.

Who owns the DeBary Diner?

The owner is the very vocal critic of President Joe Biden, Angie Ugarte. She has owned the diner in the Winn-Dixie plaza for around five years, according to reports. Beyond that, little is actually known about Ugarte. She doesn't appear to have a presence on social media. We did find the diner's Facebook page, but Ugarte herself doesn't appear to be on the platform. The diner's website says she is an "Award Winning, Classically trained French Chef", but it is unclear where she was trained.

Reportedly, Ugarte's son-in-law serves in Iraq, so the Afghan crisis was personal for her. But before the notice, DeBary's Diner was just a local city staple, since it was opened 20 years ago. A look at the diner's inspection history shows that there are no severe violations since April 2019. For most parts, the diner and Ugarte have remained under the radar, until her sign on August 26. Well, now that sign has led to a huge surge in customers. She was forced to close the diner on September 2, after running out of food due to the surge in patrons.

"This is our slow season, but yesterday, it was all day long. My hours have been incredibly erratic for the last few days," she told customers lined outside. The Daytona Beach News-Journal reported that Ugarte has been getting calls "from all over the world, from Europe, trying to purchase meals for veterans." She's reportedly struggling to organize those meals, but noted that "I think that the veterans will be fed for the rest of the year at the rate I'm getting donations." On social media, a large number of supporters have shared Ugarte's story, as well as their own trips to the diner. 

"OUTSTANDING service today at a great central Florida diner. The DeBary Diner was full of proud, America loving Patriots today for lunch," one user tweeted. Another said, "God Bless Our Soldiers!! Thank you DeBary Diner for saying it!" Another commented, "I had lunch Tuesday in a little restaurant named Debary Diner in Debary, Fl. There’s a sign at the door that says “If you voted for Biden you are not welcome here”. It was packed!!!"

It's not all been smooth sailing though. The Volusia County Sheriff's Office received only one complaint from the poster, but Ugarte herself has reportedly received death threats. Plenty of users have also slammed the diner on social media and called for a boycott. However, it seems to have had little impact. For most parts, Ugarte's notice appears to have paid off. The diner is now flooded with guests and has put DeBary on the national map.